From Connectivity to Opportunity: Tackling Infrastructure Challenges in Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s tech innovators and digitally enabled service providers are confronted by a daunting reality. While they hold control over the acceptance and quality of their products, they feel that their ability to impact millions of Ethiopians is partially beyond their grasp.

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Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Ethiopia is at the heart of this matter.

Similar to how roads are crucial for mobility, ICT infrastructure is indispensable for the effective deployment of technology-related services. Serving as the bedrock of digitally enabled services and acting as both an enabler and a potential deal breaker, ICT infrastructure encompasses software, hardware, firmware, networks, and portals.

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The responsibility for improving ICT infrastructure in Ethiopia and how the lack of infrastructure impedes the comprehensive implementation of edtech solutions in Ethiopia were discussed on the last episode of Edtech Mondays radio show produced by Mastercard Foundation and Shega Media & technology.

Hosted by Rediet Meshesha and featuring Yoftahe Yohannes, Senior Project Manager and PMI Future SO honoree, and Yonatan Yeneneh, Head of Projects at Ethiopia i Engineering Group, the show covered several aspects ranging from ICT sector policy and deployment to connectivity and power.

A Look into the State of ICT Infrastructure in Ethiopia

The Connectivity Gap

Telecom infrastructure is crucial for a digital economy, as seamless and equitable access to the Internet is essential for the operation of various digital products and services.

“While there has been significant improvement in connectivity access in Ethiopia, it is evident that internet accessibility has not reached the potential achieved by other countries with a similar economic status,” stated Yoftahe on the radio show that was aired on Fana FM and ten other affiliated stations.

Investment in network expansion and the acceleration of mobile penetration have led to an increase in Internet coverage from 1.1% in 2011 to 25% in 2022. However, despite this impressive growth rate, coverage still remains low.

Yonathan highlights the history of telecom monopoly in Ethiopia as one of the major causes of this low penetration. Until last year, Ethio Telecom had been the sole provider of infrastructure and bore the responsibility of driving the country’s tech growth.

“Ethio Telecom has been carrying more than its weight in the telecom sector and has been the backbone for the ICT sector by providing access to the internet for a long period of time. Being the sole provider in a country like Ethiopia, with a population of more than 100 million, the major objective that Ethio Telecom had was expanding access to the internet and not focusing on the quality,” said Yonathan.

Ethio Telecom, the oldest telecom operator in Africa, has around 7,000 network towers, which is not sufficient to cover a large country like Ethiopia, according to the panelists.

As with other sectors, this reality has had a negative impact on education, slowing down the substantial growth of technology-integrated learning.

“There are multiple edtech platforms designed to facilitate and enhance the learning process. However, these platforms are dependent on connectivity, directly affecting their impact,” said Yonathan.

“Sometimes I see students standing at the gate of my house so that they can crack the Wi-Fi code and use the internet. This shows how little access they have from their homes or the fact that they may not afford to access it, and that is something that needs to be worked on as well,” added Yoftahe.

However, the panelists are optimistic about a more promising future due to the liberalization of the sector. Safaricom Ethiopia’s entry into the Ethiopian market has marked the end of Ethio Telecom’s monopoly. With an anticipated investment of $10 billion in the country, Safaricom is set to enhance connectivity infrastructure and improve its quality. Additionally, the tender process to grant another telecom license is currently underway, providing much-needed support.

Power Supply as a Critical Factor in ICT Implementation

In exploring the vital role of the internet in enriching education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT), it is imperative to acknowledge the critical factor of electricity accessibility.

According to the recently launched National Electrification Program (NEP) 2.0, 44% of the country has access to electricity (33% on-grid, 11% off-grid).

“In Ethiopia, where more than 80 percent of elementary schools are located in rural areas, ensuring a reliable power supply becomes a critical factor in implementing effective ICT initiatives. While efforts have been made by Ethio Telecom and the government to improve infrastructure accessibility, the electric system and related services must be addressed in tandem to achieve meaningful progress,” stated Rediet, the host of the Edtech Mondays Radio show.

The Device Affordability Barrier

The lack of devices is another significant challenge in Ethiopia’s journey.  The issue continues to persist as one of the most significant obstacles, particularly among students, impeding their ability to expand their digital knowledge and fully leverage the existing digital learning infrastructure.

The Role of the Private Sector in Improving ICT Infrastructure

When it comes to the role of the private sector, Yoftahe states that there are no notable examples in Ethiopia in this regard.